Clip for securing conduit boxes to metal dry wall studs

ABSTRACT

A one-piece clip is provided which can be quickly and easily secured to the flange of a channel stud and to a conduit box without the aid of fastening means other than that which is an integral part of the clip. The clip is provided with barbs or prongs which engage the web and flange lip of the stud for preventing displacement of the clip relatively to the stud and box. A feature of the invention is the provision of means formed integrally with the clip for the securement to the clip of the ground wire of a three wire system, as well as means in the clip for receiving a screwdriver or the like for the purpose of biasing portions of the clip away from other portions, whereby to facilitate attachment of the clip to the stud and box.

United States Patent 1191 Schuplin 14 Dec. 18, 1973 1 CLIP FOR SECURINGCONDUIT BOXES TO METAL DRY WALL STUDS [75] Inventor: Jerome T. Schuplin,Parma Heights,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: Fastway Fasteners, lnc., Lorain,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 292,813

[52] US. Cl. 174/51, 24/81 B, 174/58, 220/39, 248/205 R, 248/229,248/DIG. 6,

[51] Int. Cl H02g 3/08, Fl6b 2/24 [58] Field of Search 174/51, 58; 24/73B,

24/81 B; 220/39; 248/72, 205 R, 223, 226 E, 228, 229, 300, DIG. 6;287/189.35

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,122,604 2/1964 Cook et a1.174/51 3,131,447 5/1964 Tinnerman 24/81 B 3,528,636 9/1970 Schmidt248/205 R 3,536,281

Meehan et a1. 248/223 X 3,588,019 9/1971 Cozeck et a1. 248/205 R X3,606,223 9/1971 Havener 248/205 R 3,684,230 8/1972 Swanquist 248/229Primary Examiner-Laramie E. Askin Attorney-Islera & Ornstein [5 7ABSTRACT A one-piece clip is provided which can be quickly and easilysecured to the flange of a channel stud and to a conduit box without theaid of fastening means other than that which is an integral part of theclip. The clip is provided with barbs or prongs which engage the web andflange lip of the stud for preventing displacement of the cliprelatively to the stud and box. A feature of the invention is theprovision of means formed integrally with the clip for the securement tothe clip of the ground wire of a three wire system, as well as means inthe clip for receiving a screwdriver or the like for the purpose ofbiasing portions of the clip away from other portions, whereby tofacilitate attachment of the clip to the stud and box.

17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Pmmsnnm 3,780,209

- sum 10F 3 l2d I20 20 IO I9 I70 ll a 1 f 1 We a I l5 Gs) Y V w as I20l'f LO l fe 3 l ze PATENTEDnEm 8 107a 3.780.209 SHEEIEOF 3 34 'IO Fig.5

PATENTE um 8 ms saatra 0Y5 CLIP FOR SECURING CONDUIT BOXES TO METAL DRYWALL STUDS This invention relates generally to clips for securingconduit boxes to metal dry wall studs, but has reference moreparticularly to clips of the type disclosed in my co-pending patentapplication, Ser. No. 172,842, filed Aug. 18, 1971 now US. Pat. No.3,720,395.

The clip of the aforesaid application ischaracterized by the provisionof a first portion which is adapted to be clamped to the side wall of anelectrical conduit or outlet box, and a second portion which is adaptedfor clamped engagement with the web, flange and lip of the stud.

In building construction in which such conduit boxes, metal studs andclips are utilized, electrical codes require a three wire system, withone of the wires grounded to the conduit box. Such grounding is usuallyaccomplished by using a short wire which is screwed to the conduit boxor to a grounding clip which grips the wire and is attached to the box.

The present invention has as one of its primary objects the provision ofa clip of the character disclosed in my aforesaid pending application,but having improved features which enable the clip to be more firmlysecured or attached to the metal stud.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clip of the characterdescribed having means incorporated therein for securing a ground wireto the clip, thereby eliminating extra lengths of wire, screws and extraclips, such as commonly used for grounding purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip of the characterdescribed having auxiliary means for securing the clip to the metalstud, whereby to insure that the conduit box and clip cannot be removedaccidentally from the metal stud, as by workmen passing through spacesbetween adjacent studs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip of the characterdescribed whichhas added versatility in that it may be used in severaldifferent ways to secure the conduit box to a metal stud.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clip of thecharacter described having means incorporated therein for enabling theclip to be manipulated by a screw driver for the purpose of assisting insecuring the clip to the conduit box and metal stud.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the followingdescription.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a clip embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the clip;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the clip;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the clip, as

' viewed from the left end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the clip, as viewed from the rightend of FIG. '1; 1

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip, which also shows the mannerin' which a ground wire is secured to the clip;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the manner in which the clip is attached to aconduit box and one way in which the clip is attached to the stud;

' atively short.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 7 inclusive of the drawings,the clip is made from'a rectangular blank of sheet metal or metal strip,preferably heattreated and springtempered steel, which is bent, as at10, to-provide a portion which is adapted for securement to the flange Fof a channel stud S (see FIG; 7) and a portion which is adapted forsecurement to the side wall W of an electrical conduit or outlet box B(see FIG. 7)..

The portion of the clip which is adapted for securement to the flange Fof the stud S comprises a flat body 1 1 having at one end a downturnedflange 12 which terminates in a curved end or lip 12a, which is shearedalong oblique lines 12b and 12c (FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7) to provide areaswhich are bent inwardly out of the plane of the flange 12 to form barbsor prongs 12d and 12e, which serve a purpose to be presently described.

The body 11 has at its other end a downturned flange 13 which extendsbelow the lower level of the flange 12-12a and terminates at the bendI0. I

The bodyll is sheared along lines 14, 15 and 16 to provide an ear havinga portion 17 which extends upwardly from the flange 13 to the level ofthe body 11, a portion 17a which extends downwardly into the spacebetween the flanges l2 and 13, at an angle of approximately 60 to theflange 13, and a portion 17b which extends at an angle of approximatelyto the portion 17a, and is provided at its upper corners with barbs orprongs 17c and 17d which serve a purpose to be presently described. I V

.An opening 172 is provided at the junction between the portions 17 and17a of the ear, which opening serves a purpose to be presentlydescribed.

The body 11 of the clip is also provided with a circular hole 18, thefunction of which will hereinafter be described.

The portion of the clip which is adapted for securement to the side wallof the conduit box B comprises a flange 19 which extends upwardly fromthe bend 10 in substantially parallel relation to the flange 13, and isrebent as at 20 to provide a downwardly extending flange .21, whichextends at an angle inwardly towards the flange 19.

The flange 21 is divided, as by slots 22 and 23, into three parts 24, 25and 26, which terminate respectively in outwardly curved ends or lips24a, 25a and 26a.

The parts 24 and 26 are sheared along oblique lines 27 and 28 (see FIGS.1, 3, 4, 6 and 7) to provide areas which are bent inwardly out of theplane of the parts 24 and 26 to form barbs or prongs 29 and 30, whichserve a purpose to be presently described.

The part 25 of the flange 21 is provided with a central 7 portion 31,which is bent outwardly from the plane of the part 25 to form a concavewall or recess 32 (see FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 7), which serves a purpose tobe presently described.

A portion of the part 25 adjacent this central portion 31 is sheared toprovide an area which is bent outwardly, as in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 7, toform an ear or tab 33, whose function will be described.

In FIG. 7, the dry wall to which the stud S is secured is indicated byreference letters DW, and the lip of'the flange F of the stud byreference letter L.

The clip is installed in a manner which will now be described, withparticular reference to FIG. 7.

The flanges 19 and 21 are secured to the side wall W of the conduit boxby means of a hammer or pliers in the position shown in FIG. 7. Thissecurement is facilitated by reason of the provision of the curved ends24a, 25a and 26a. In thus securing the clip to the wall W, the parts 24,25 and 26 are biased from the wall slightly away from the flange l9, andwhen the clip is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the tendency of theparts 24 and 26 to return to their unbiased position causes the barbs orprongs 29 and 30 to bite into the inner surface of the wall W, so thatthe prongs function to prevent displacement of the clip from the wall W.

The clip and its attached conduit box are then properly positionedlongitudinally with reference to the stud, after which, while holdingthe conduit box in one hand, the clip may be applied to the stud to theposition shown in FIG. 7. This is done by first applying the barbs orprongs 17c and .1711 against the exterior surface of the web of thestud, and then rocking the clip to'a position such that the barbs orprongs 12d and '12e engage and bite into the exterior surface of the lipL of the flange F.

If the stud is solidly in place, a hammer may be used to thus secure theclip to the stud.

If, however, the stud is not solidly secured in place, or insufficientlysecured in place, to permit or warrant the use of a hammer, ascrewdriver may be used to secure the clip to the stud. For thispurpose, a screwdriver is inserted in the space between the flanges 13and 19 of the clip, and through the opening 34. The screwdriver is thenpressed against the flange' 13 with sufficient force to enable theflange 12 to be slipped over the lip L of the stud by the thumb of thehand.

While the screwdriver is still in the position described, it may be usedto pry the barbs or prongs 17c and 17d away from the stud, so as topermit the clip to be moved to the position shown in FIG. 7, to therebyproperly set the barbs, for maximum gripping action of these barbs aswell as the barbs 12d and l2e.

In this connection, it may be noted that a screwdriver may be insertedthrough the opening l7e, and leverage applied thereby against theportion 17a of the ear, to thereby move the barbs or prongs 17c and 17daway from the web of the stud S, for the purpose'of shifting ,oradjusting the position of the clip relatively to the stud.

Although the barbs 12a, l2e, 17c and 17d have sufficient resiliency andgripping powerto secure the clip to the stud, under virtually allconditions, it is desirable, in some instances, as during buildingconstruction while workmen are passing through the spaces between 6studs, to provide additional protection against displacement of theclips, in such instances. r j

For this purpose, or additional security, a screw, such as shown at T inFIG. 7 may be driven through the hole 18 in the clip, and into theflange F of the stud. This screw may be a hex head screw or a flat headscrew. If the screw is a hex head screw, as shown in FIG. 7, the drywall DW is provided with a recess R for reception of the head of thescrew. lfthe screw is a flat head screw, the recess R would not berequired, since a slight rap with a hammer would cause the head of thescrew to sink into the soft cardboard back of the dry wall.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 6, reference numeral G designatesthe ground wire of a three wire system which electrical building codesrequire be fastened to the conduit or outlet box B. p The wire G in thisinstance is resiliently clamped to the portions 24 and 26 of the flange21 of the clip by means of the central portion 31 of the portion 25 ofthe flange, so that the wire is grounded to the outlet box through theclip itself. In thus securing the wire'to the 4 clip, a screwdriver isinserted into the space between the ear or tab 33 and the wall of thepart 25 behind this tab, and leverage applied to the part 25 to pry thelatter' away from the parts 24 and 26, permitting the wire G to beinserted through the portion 31, and moved to the position shown, afterwhich the portion 25 is permitted to return to its clamping position.

It may also be noted that the ear or tab 33 may also be engaged by ascrewdriver as a means of prying the flange 21 away from the flange 19,to thereby aid in initially securing the clip to a conduit box, or as ameans of disengaging the barbs 29 and 30 from the conduit box, in theevent the clip is to be removed from the box.

In FIG. 8, the clip is applied to the stud by first applying the barbsor prongs 17c and 17d against the exterior surface of the lip L of theflange F, and then rocking the clip to a position such that the'barbs orprongs 12d and l2e engage the exterior surface of the web of the stud.The manner in which the clip is thus secured is substantially the sameas that described with reference to FIG. 7, so that the description ofthis need not be repeated.

In FIG. 9, a modification of the manner of connecting the 'clip to astud is shown, which may be used in cases where the lip L of the flangeF of the stud is relatively short, as compared with that shown in FIGS.7 and 8. In this case, the barbs'or prongs 17c and 17d may be utilizedas hooks to engage the inner edge of the lip, so that the body 11 of theclip is locked to the flange of the stud by the resilience of the barbsor prongs. This manner of utilizing the barbs or prongs may be used incases where the clip might be subjected to extreme abuse before the drywall is installed.

It is thus seen that I have provided a clip of the character described,which has improvements incorporated therein designed to enable the clipto be firmly secured or attached to a metal stud, which has meansincorporated therein for securing a ground wire thereto whileeliminating extra lengths of wire, screws and extra clips, commonly usedfor grounding purposes; which embodies auxiliary means for securing theclip to a metal stud, whereby the conduit box cannot be removedaccidentally from the stud by workmen passing through spaces .betweenadjacent studs; which has added versatility, in that it may be used inseveral different ways to secure the conduit box to a metal stud, andwhich further embodies means for enabling the clip to be manipulated bya screwdriver for the purpose of assisting in securing the clip to theconduit box and metal stud.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shownand described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, andthat various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement ofparts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention orthescope of the subjoined claims. Having thus described my invention, Iclaim:

1. In combination with a metal stud having a web and parallel spacedflanges provided with lips disposed in planes substantially parallelwith said web, and an electrical conduit box having a side wall; meanssecuring said conduit box to said stud, said means comprising aone-piece metal clip having a first portion in clamped engagement withsaid side wall, and a second portion in clamped engagement with a flangeof said stud, said second portion having a body engaging the outer wallof said stud flange, a first flange spaced from said stud and havingbarbs engaging a portion of said stud, and a second flange spaced fromsaid stud and having barbs extending from the central portion thereofand engaging a portion of said stud opposite said first named portion ofthe stud.

2. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein the first flangespaced from said stud has barbs engagingthe exterior of one of the lipsof said stud, and the second flange spaced from said stud has barbswhich engage the exterior of the web of said stud.

3. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein the first flangespaced from said stud has barbs engaging the exterior of the web of saidstud, and the second flange spaced from said stud has barbs which engagethe exterior of one of the lips of said stud.

4. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein the first flangespaced from said stud has an ear portion extending therefrom angularlyto said first flange and into the space between said first flange andsaid stud, and a second ear portion extending angularly to said firstear portion and provided with barbs.

5. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein said first portion ofsaid clip has means thereon for clamping a ground wire thereto.

6. A clip for securing an electrical conduit box to the web, flangeandlip of a channel-shaped stud, said clip comprising a first portionadapted for clamped engagement with a side wall of said box, and asecond portion adapted for clamped engagement with said web, flange andlip of said stud, said second portion having a body, a first flangedepending from one end of said body and having barbs adapted to engagesaid web or lip, and a second flange depending from said body and havingan ear extending from the central portion thereof and provided withbarbs adapted to engage said lip or web, said ear having a portionextending angularly downwardly into the space between the flanges ofsaid second portion, and a second ear portion extending angularly tosaid first ear portion and having spaced barbs.

7. A clip, as defined infclaim 6, wherein said first portion of the clipis provided with means for the clamped attachment thereto of a groundwire.

8. A clip, as defined in claim 7, wherein said lastnamed means comprisesa flange having spaced flange portions, one of which has a recesstherein for passage of a ground wire.

9. A clip, as defined in claim 6, wherein said body is provided with anopening for the passage therethrough of a screw.

10. A clip, as defined in claim 6, wherein an opening is provided insaid ear adapted for reception of a tool, by means of which saidlast-named barbs may be moved away from said lip or web.

11. A clip for securing an electrical conduit box to the web, flange andlip of a channel stud, said clip comprising a first portion adapted forsecurement to said box, and a second portion adapted for securement tosaid stud, said first portion having means formed integrally therewithand adapted for the clamped engagement to said first portion of a groundwire, said means comprising spaced flanges and a flange disposed betweensaid spaced flanges for resiliently clamping said ground wire to saidspaced flanges.

12. A clip, as defined in claim 11, wherein said lastnamed flange has aportion of arcuate cross-section through which said ground wire may bepassed.

13. A clip, as defined in claim 12, wherein said lastnamed flange isprovided with an ear or tab adapted to be engaged by a screw driver tobias said last-named flange away from the plane of said spaced flanges.

14. A clip for securing an electrical conduit box to the web, flange andlip of a channel-shaped stud, said clip comprising a first portion forclamped engagement with a side wall of said box, said first portioncomprising spaced flanges, one of which is resiliently biased toward theother and is provided with means for the clamped engagement thereto of aground wire, and a second portion adapted for clamped engagement withsaid web, flange and lip of said stud, said second portion having abody, a first flange depending from said body and having barbs adaptedto engage said web or lip, and a second flange depending from said bodyand provided with barbs adapted to engage said lip or web.

15. A clip, as defined in claim 14 wherein said resiliently biasedflange comprises a portion against which said ground wire is adapted tobe clamped, and another portion which is adapted to clamp the groundwire to said first portion of the resiliently biased flange.

16. A clip, as defined in claim 15, wherein said lastnamed portion ofsaid resiliently biased flange has a recess of arcuate cross-sectionadapted to accommodate said ground wire.

17. A clip, as defined in claim 16, wherein said lastnamed portion ofsaid resiliently-biased clamp is provided with an ear or tab stampedoutwardly therefrom, whereby to provide between said last-named portionand said ear or tab a space adapted to receive a screwdriver, to whichleverage may be applied to pry said last-named portion away from saidfirst-named portion, to release said ground wire from said clampedengagement.

1. In combination with a metal stud having a web and parallel spacedflanges provided with lips disposed in planes substantially parallelwith said web, and an electrical conduit box having a side wall; meanssecuring said conduit box to said stud, said means comprising aone-piece metal clip having a first portion in clamped engagement withsaid side wall, and a second portion in clamped engagement with a flangeof said stud, said second portion having a body engaging the outer wallof said stud flange, a first flange spaced from said stud and havingbarbs engaging a portion of said stud, and a second flange spaced fromsaid stud and having barbs extending from the central portion thereofand engaging a portion of said stud opposite said first named portion ofthe stud.
 2. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein the firstflange spaced from said stud has barbs engaging the exterior of one ofthe lips of said stud, and the second flange spaced from said stud hasbarbs which engage the exterior of the web of said stud.
 3. Thecombination, as defined in claim 1, wherein the first flange spaced fromsaid stud has barbs engaging the exterior of the web of said stud, andthe second flange spaced from said stud has barbs which engage theexterior of one of the lips of said stud.
 4. The combination, as definedin claim 1, wherein the first flange spaced from said stud has an earportion extending therefrom angularly to said first flange and into thespace between said first flange and said stud, and a second ear portionextending angularly to said first ear portion and provided with barbs.5. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein said first portion ofsaid clip has means thereon for clamping a ground wire thereto.
 6. Aclip for securing an electrical conduit box to the web, flange and lipof a channel-shaped stud, said clip comprising a first portion adaptedfor clamped engagement with a side wall of said box, and a secondportion adapted for clamped engagement with said web, flange and lip ofsaid stud, said second portion having a body, a first flange dependingfrom one end of said body and having barbs adapted to engage said web orlip, and a second flange depending from said body and having an earextending from the central portion thereof and provided with barbsadapted to engage said lip or web, said ear having a portion extendingangularly downwardly into the space between the flanges of said secondportion, and a second ear portion extending angularly to said first earportion and having spaced barbs.
 7. A clip, as defined in claim 6,wherein said first portion of the clip is provided with means for theclamped attachment thereto of a ground wire.
 8. A clip, as defined inclaim 7, wherein said last- named means comprises a flange having spacedflange portions, one of which has a recess therein for passage of aground wire.
 9. A clip, as defined in claim 6, wherein said body isprovided with an opening for the passage therethrough of a screw.
 10. Aclip, as defined in claim 6, wherein an opening is provided in said earadapted for reception of a tool, by means of which said last-named barbsmay be moved away from said lip or web.
 11. A clip for securing anelectrical conduit box to the web, flange and lip of a channel stud,said clip comprising a first portion adapted for securement to said box,and a second portion adapted for securement to said stud, said firstportion having means formed integrally therewith and adapted for theclamped engagement to said first portion of a ground wire, said meanscomprising spaced flanges and a flange disposed between said spacedflanges for resiliently clamping said ground wire to said spacedflanges.
 12. A clip, as defined in claim 11, wherein said last- namedflange has a portion of arcuate cross-section through which said groundwire may be passed.
 13. A clip, as defined in claim 12, wherein saidlast- named flange is provided with an ear or tab adapted to be engagedby a screw driver to bias said last-named flange away from the plane ofsaid spaced flanges.
 14. A clip for securing an electrical conduit boxto the web, flange and lip of a channel-shaped stud, said clipcomprising a first portion for clamped engagement with a side wall ofsaid box, said first portion comprising spaced flanges, one of which isresiliently biased toward the other and is provided with means for theclamped engagement thereto of a ground wire, and a second portionadapted for clamped engagement with said web, flange and lip of saidstud, said second portion having a body, a first flange depending fromsaid body and having barbs adapted to engage said web or lip, and asecond flange depending from said body and provided with barbs adaptedto engage said lip or web.
 15. A clip, as defined in claim 14 whereinsaid resiliently biased flange comprises a portion against which saidground wire is adapted to be clamped, and another portion which isadapted to clamp the ground wire to said first portion of theresiliently biased flange.
 16. A clip, as defined in claim 15, whereinsaid last-named portion of said resiliently biased flange has a recessof arcuate cross-section adapted to accommodate said ground wire.
 17. Aclip, as defined in claim 16, wherein said last-named portion of saidresiliently-biased clamp is provided with an ear or tab stampedoutwardly therefrom, whereby to provide between said last-named portionand said ear or tab a space adapted to receive a screwdriver, to whichleverage may be applied to pry said last-named portion away from saidfirst-named portion, to release said ground wire from said clampedengagement.